Israel today continued to bombard the Gaza Strip with air raids and artillery shells as it stepped up the deployment of troops and tanks near the besieged Palestinian enclave.
At least 122 Palestinians, including 31 children, have been killed and more than 900 wounded since hostilities flared up on Monday. Hundreds of Palestinian families have taken shelter in United Nation run schools in northern Gaza to escape Israeli artillery fire.
Despite international calls for an immediate halt of all hostilities, including from United Nations chief Antonio Guterres, Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged the offensive will continue.
Hamas fired another barrage of rockets towards Israel, hitting the city of Ashkelon in the early hours of today.
In another potential escalation, at least three rockets were fired from southern Lebanon towards Israel.
